Memorial Day at Dallas National Cemetery

[Drac]

Good day all,

Spent this AM and into the afternoon doing duty at the National Cemetery. For those who have never done so I recommend going to these, after the first one you will never forget that Memorial Day is more than BBQ and sales.

Ceremony opens with Colors done by the local Marines. They do an ok job for Marines ()



The Marines, between the local and the Young Marines, were everywhere taking care of many of the ceremonial functions such as the howitzers for the 21 gun salute -



The wreath and folded flag -



They read a list of names of service members who were killed in theater and buried in the Cemetery. As each name was read a Young Marine placed a roses in a chair corresponding to their branch.

Army's loss -



Marine's loss -



Navy's loss -



Coast Guard's loss -



Air Force's loss -

[Drac]

After the ceremony Gold Star guests were allowed to come pick up the roses from their deceased family member. All others were given a "water burial." I was honored to be allowed to preform this for the Sailors who died -



Here are the roses as they drift along -



Here are some pictures from around the cemetery.

At the main building -



The true meaning of Memorial Day and the full price of freedom. I have been to several National Cemeteries and they are always juxtaposition of joy and sorrow, pride and loss -





It wasn't all solemn. Here are a couple general pics.

I was VERY honored to meet a Medal of Honor recipient. Over the years of doing Color and Honor Guard I have had several opportunities to meet such living heroes but each one never fails humble and impress. Meeting men like him always makes me feel like a slacker -



Damn!!!!! -



And of course I did not leave out the kilt content. Here is a shot of the piper, who admitted to hanging around here -



Jim

[macwilkin]

The poem shown above, The Bivouac of the Dead, while commonly associated with the Civil War
due to its frequent use at National Cemeteries, is actually a tribute to soldiers of the Mexican War
by its author, Theodore O'Hara, who served with the 2nd Kentucky Volunteers
at the Battle of Buena Vista in February, 1847:

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.

On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread;
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.

No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
No troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind.

No vision of the morrow's strife
the warrior's dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.

Their shivered swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed;
Their haughty banner, trailed with dust,
Is now their martial shroud.

And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow;
And the proud forms, by battle gashed,
Are free from anguish now.

'Twas in that hour his stern command
Called to many a martyr's grave;
The flower of his beloved land,
The nation's flag to save.

Lest we forget,

Todd

[Downunder Kilt]

At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning.
We will remember them.

Lest We Forget

[Drac]

Thank you very much Todd.

I will post this with the other forums I put the pictures on.

Jim